Peoples Choice Undies Run for Bowel Cancer to be held on Sunday

ELLEN Cockshell has no qualms about stripping down to her bare essentials for a run through the city - she knows her late boyfriend Lachlan Lockie MacDonald would heartily approve.

Ellen, 25, will lead the Lockie’s Sphincter Sprinters team in the People’s Choice Undies Run for Bowel Cancer on Sunday raising funds and awareness of the disease.

The team running through the CBD in their underwear raised $17,000 in the inaugural 2km run last year and hope to top it this year, as part of the overall target of $200,000 for bowel cancer research.

Ellen said the memory of Lockie is all the inspiration she needs to shrug of embarrassment and put the spotlight on a disease people traditionally have been reluctant to discuss.

“I’m doing this for Lockie,” she said. “I want to try to make as much noise as possible

about bowel cancer and this is my way of doing it.”

Lockie, 25, passed away from bowel cancer in October last year. He went for a check after noticing blood in his stool and had been in remission from February 2012 following surgery and chemotherapy. There were hopes he had beaten the disease but it returned suddenly and spread rapidly.

Lockie joined Ellen and the team in last year’s run despite being so sick from chemotherapy he had to be pushed in a wheelchair.

“It’s too late to help Lockie, but not too late to help someone in the future,” Ellen says. “I know at some point, the money I raise will help somebody make a progression against cancer and that’s what makes it worth it.

“People put off bowel cancer screening because they’re embarrassed — I’m here to tell you it’s worth the embarrassment to get checked. It could save your life.”

Cancer Council SA chief executive Professor Brenda Wilson hopes Ellen’s story will inspire others to register or donate to the Undies Run.

“At Cancer Council SA, we believe that together we will beat cancer,” Professor Wilson said.

“But our work is only possible with the help of our generous supporters. I’m inspired and encouraged by Ellen and her commitment to make a difference.”

The run starts at 5pm on Frome Rd near the zoo, with a cloak room available to store clothes - participants can walk, run or jog the course, for more information or to register see undiesrun.com.au